Map law won't hurt tech firms, but companies like Google will have to depict maps correctly: Kiren Rijiju

Rijiju, however, was equally emphatic on maps by Google and others showing “wrong information”. “We as a sovereign nation would like to have our boundary depicted in a correct manner,” the minister said.Aman Sharma | ET Bureau | May 12, 2016, 08:44 IST

NEW DELHI: Tech companies’ business won’t be harmed, but the likes of Google will have to make sure India’s maps show Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir correctly, Minister of State for Home, Kiren Rijiju told ET, while explaining the government’s case for the controversial Geospatial Information Regulation Bill.

The proposed law recommends stiff punishment for what the government calls violations in depicting maps as well as mapping so-called security sensitive areas. Exchange of maps by ordinary end-users, experts have argued, may also fall foul of the proposed legislation. Concerns have been expressed by both tech companies and consumer forums.

In a lengthy interaction with ET, Rijiju, who uses an advanced version of Google Earth in his office, said tech industry’s concerns will be addressed before the final version of the bill is drafted. Tech industry has argued that the proposed law will bring back a license raj for companies like Google and Apple and impact other companies like Uber, Ola, Zomato and a range of startups that use geo-location or maps for their business.

The minister was emphatic on assuring industry: “The law should not have any kind of negative impact or creating a negative atmosphere for business growth... definitely all concerns of the industry will be addressed in the final law. I am assuring that the intention of the government is to facilitate business… It is not to create a hurdle.”

He also said the draft bill is "at a very preliminary stage and comments and suggestions are being sought from all sectors and stakeholders and citizens…"

He also said India’s approach was far less punitive than some other countries’. "We are not in business of unnecessarily troubling any firm...that is not our approach, but the thing is that we need a regulatory mechanism”, he said.

Rijiju, however, was equally emphatic on maps by Google and others showing “wrong information”. “We as a sovereign nation would like to have our boundary depicted in a correct manner,” the minister said.

Asked if India has raised this with Google, he said: “That is our sovereign concern that we will always put that across. They (Google) have their own way of thinking. They have not shown Arunachal as part of China but they show it in red colour as disputed. That is not acceptable to us at all.”

Rijiju insisted that the bill was "not one company specific", when asked if Google was the main errant party.

“It is a general concern being raised that India as a responsible country must have provisions to secure its boundary and territory. That is why the bill is necessary. It is not a question of sending a message to any firm or company — but it is a question of addressing our own security concern.

That is the primary objective... if we have to grow as a responsible and big power, we must be able to take into account all our security concerns. China has also come up with its own domestic laws..,” Rijiju said.

Separately, RCom initiated contempt proceedings in the apex court against the Department of Telecommunications, blaming it for delaying a spectrum sale that would have enabled dues to be paid to Ericsson and lenders.